Lost?
We recommend taking the following steps:
- Phone your pets microchip database and report them missing
- Search your local neighbourhood and put up eye-catching posters
- For lost dogs, contact the local Isle of Wight authority lost dog services IoW stray dog service
- Notify your local vets and any local rehoming Animal Centres such as ourselves, Cats Protection, Feline Welfare and Friends of the Animals
- Get social – publish on the Lost Pets IoW Facebook
- Publish an Ad on Wightbay Lost & Found in Isle Of Wight
- Register on missing pet websites such as Animal Search UK
- Don’t give up!
Found?
What to do if you find a pet:
- Ring the local vets and rescue centres to report
- If it’s safe, check whether the dog/cat is wearing a tag, if it is then call the number on the tag and leave a message
- Ask the local vets to scan for a microchip
- Get social – publish on the Lost Pets IoW Facebook
- Check any listings on missing pet websites such as Animal Search UK
The Isle of Wight Council operates an IoW stray dog service. If you have found a healthy looking dog/cat here are the steps you can take to help increase the animals chance of being reunited with their family.
If you secure a stray dog, you can report it to the Environment Officer’s Team through the local authority contact centre on 01983 821000 during office hours, or 01983 821105 outside office hours. Please note that they do not provide a 24 hour collection service for lost dogs.
If you decide to take the dog/cat home while you wait for the warden to arrive, remember the pet may be scared and distressed. If you’re unsure about the dog/cat’s behaviour, please do not approach and instead wait for the Warden to arrive.
By law, you can’t keep a stray pet. If you want to rehome the pet, leave your details with the warden.
It is important to keep your pet safe and to do everything you can to aid in your pet’s safe return if they go missing. It is a legal requirement for your dog to be microchipped. Since 10 June 2024, all owners must have their cat microchipped. Please make sure the contact information associated with the chip is kept up to date. If you are out and about, make sure your dog wears a collar and tag with your contact information on.
Useful Numbers
- Isle of Wight Dog Warden
- Office hours
- Isle of Wight Dog Warden
- After hours
- Cats Protection
